October 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

I’m back from Los Angeles! I went there for the Taste TV Artisan Fragrance Salon and had a great time – it was wonderful to see our LA Purrfumery friends and meet some new people, too. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us! And, huge thanks to my awesome niece Sara, and delightful friends Gwendolyn and Jennifer for helping me! Jennifer paints gorgeous watercolors of Los Angeles landmarks and teaches others how to create their own pieces of art, too! We grew up together and I love her and her art!

The Fruits of Fall

This morning, I looked out the window and I can see that fall is finally here and it’s transforming the Perfumer’s Garden with its warm colors. I just love this time of year, and now I have one more reason to look forward to it: QUINCE! Do you like quince fruit, my dear Purrfumery friends? It’s a really odd fruit – you can’t just pick it off the tree and eat it – the outside is tough and the inside is very hard. But oh the aroma! When quince ripens, it is so floral and gorgeous! I keep one by my bed and inhale deeply! You have to cook quince for a really long time to enjoy it, and that’s exactly what my friend Virginia and I did this weekend! Virginia, a wonderful friend of mine from Connecticut, is visiting and found a tree that was heavy with quince. She brought over a bunch and we cooked it with sugar, dried it in the oven and made dulce de membrillo, or quince paste. This is a delicious Spanish treat that goes really well with sheep’s cheese, like manchego. Virginia and I have been eating it right out of the pan and getting a sugar high! Quince has a lovely, aromatic flavor, and it turns a gorgeous reddish color when you cook it. I highly recommend it!

More Bewitching Treats

The kitties and I have been getting ready for Halloween and stocking the Purrfumery shelves with beguiling Black Cat eau de parfum! Black Cat is one of our best sellers, with its bewitching blend of mouth-watering cocoa, sensuous ylang ylang, juicy blood orange, and a hint of sweet, surprising aniseed myrtle. I use Tahitian vanilla-infused organic jojoba oil to make Black Cat, so the dry down is rich and deep and yummy! Or, if you want an extra special treat in your Halloween pillowcase, indulge in a candy-wrapped bottle of Fleur de Caramel. I created this incredible new scent from a secret caramel accord and a blend of night-blooming frangipani, tuberose, red mandarin and spicy butterfly lily. Reviewers have described Fleur de Caramel as “edible,” and transporting... Writers at New Beauty recently wrote that it “smells good enough to eat.” Thank you, New Beauty! Oh, and my new Honey eau de parfum is wrapped like a fancy piece of candy with a bee on top! Trick or treat, my dear Purrfumery friends!

Free Shipping through November 15

We are kicking off the holiday season a little early this year and offering free shipping on all orders through November 15. It’s my way of saying thank you to each of you! Enjoy!

Custom Perfume – the Ultimate Holiday Gift

I love to have visitors at the Purrfumery, and am currently taking appointments, so if you’d like to schedule a Perfumery Adventure for friends or family, or create a custom perfume for yourself or someone you love this season, now is the time! Visits to the Purrfumery are a delightful way to spend time with the people you love; or celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bridal showers… any special day! To schedule a Perfumery Adventure, Custom Perfume appointment, or to visit and sample all the Purrfumery has to offer, call me at 510-528-8040 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. Hope to see you soon!

Visit Kensington for ArtFirst!

I am working with ArtFirst! Bay Area, a group of nine local artists who use a variety of media, and I am thrilled to announce that we are having our first show. Through January, you can stop by Marvin Gardens Real Estate at 289 The Arlington in Kensington to see what we’ve been up to. The work ranges from photography and mixed media to floral and glass creations, and will include a perfume shadow box with treats from the Purrfumery. Come out to see the show and support local artists! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

September 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

I am settling in after a relaxing vacation with Gary that reminded us of our hippie days. We didn’t have a plan; we just packed up the car and threw caution to the wind, savoring the freedom of not knowing where we would end up. We used to travel this way years ago – back when I was driving my Volkswagen hippie van decked out with my grandmother’s antique floral chintz curtains that I sewed. That van was gorgeous! One time we lived in it for six months, traveling from California to British Columbia and zig zagging all the way to New Jersey and back. We still have the best memories of that trip of a lifetime! Did you take any fun trips this summer, my dear Purrfumery friends? I’d love to hear about them sometime, so drop me a line!

See You in LA!

Attention, Los Angeles Purrfumery friends! We are hitting the road again this month for the Los Angeles edition of Taste TV’s Artisan Fragrance Salon at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We can’t wait to visit with you in person and share our newest perfumes and products – and special treats, of course! The salon features artisan and luxury perfumers from Los Angeles, San Francisco and more, and your tickets are good for the adjacent Chocolate Salon, too! Perfume and chocolate together – what could be more fun? Perfume lovers will find a dazzling array of perfumes – you may even decide to get a super-early start on your holiday shopping! Tickets won’t be sold at the door, so get them while they last!

A Gift for YOU! Fleur de Caramel Sample with all September Orders

My Purrfumery friends are really excited about Fleur de Caramel, my newest parfum and eau de parfum! I just made a new batch of both and will send you a free sample of this gorgeous, utterly scrumptious perfume with your September orders. Fleur de Caramel is really something special, my dear Purrfumery friends, from its warm caramel accord to the gorgeous notes of frangipani, tuberose, red mandarin, butterfly lily and rare Tamil Nadu Sandalwood… It lasts a really long time for a natural perfume, too – almost 24 hours – and I love the caramel dry down. I love the smell in the morning! We want to thank Beth Schreibman Gehring and Ida Meister for their reviews of Fleur de Caramel – we are thrilled to see their comments in The Perfume Magazine and Fragrantica! What I loved most about the reviews is that both Beth and Ida talked about the EXPERIENCE of wearing Velvet & Sweet Pea’s perfumes. Beth said she loved the sensuality and bewitching deliciousness of our perfumes and packaging, and Ida talked about being transported to another place with the scent of Fleur de Caramel. Wow! Comments like these are amazing because I’ve always believed that perfumes were meant to be experienced, not just dabbed on, and that scent can whisk us away to another world or change our state of mind for a while. I love when people talk about how they feel when they wear Velvet & Sweet Pea’s perfumes because that’s what it’s all about! There is a deeper message in every bottle of my perfumes and Beth and Ida both touched on that in their reviews. I am honored and grateful! Thanks so much Beth and Ida!

A Visit with Living Legend Jeanne Rose

In August, Jeanne Rose, an educator, herbalist and a living legend of aromatherapy emailed me and asked me to speak to her class in San Francisco. I had a great time visiting with her students – I met people from all corners of the world. It was also a lot of fun sharing the story of my Purrfumery and talking about how I create my perfumes and products. Jeanne is an amazing artist of herbalism – her books are among my favorite reference manuals. She has written 22 books, including one of my favorites, “375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols.” If you are interested in aromatherapy and blending essential oils, check out her courses and many books. Thank you, Jeanne! Your classes sound incredible!

Purrfumery Garden Delights

I love to hang out in the garden just as the seasons are starting to change. As summer turns to fall, the datura is gorgeous with its huge white flowers. Datura is most fragrant in the evening, so I like to step out when the sun goes down and enjoy this very special and intoxicating plant. (It helps that it’s right next to the hot tub!) Our cestrum nocturnum, or night-blooming jasmine, is also delightful in September, and the roses are beautiful in every color. The crepe myrtles and lavender are so happy, and the bees! This has been a great bee year! We look forward to the honey harvest next month! All my scented pelargoniums are flowering and they smell just absolutely beautiful. I’d love you to come see me, my dear Purrfumery friends! Give me a call or send an email and we’ll put something on the calendar. Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

June 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

I hope you’re all having a glorious summer! The kitties and I have been very busy – we could probably use a little vacation! Last month, we unveiled our new perfume, Fleur de Caramel at Taste TV’s Artisan Fragrance Salon in San Francisco. We had a great time, and it was wonderful to see old friends and make some new ones, too. We were thrilled to learn just last week that Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery won a Bronze Best of Salon Award for Best New Product for Fleur de Caramel! We also won the Gold Award for Best All-Natural Scent, a Silver Award for Most Unique and two more Bronze Awards for Best Gift Set and Top All-around Product Line. Thank you to all the people who attended the salon! And thank you for voting for Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery! We are thrilled and honored!

Fleur de Caramel Samples are a Summertime Treat

Have you tried Fleur de Caramel? It’s positively yummy, and the drydown is pure caramel! This limited edition scent features a warm caramel accord with rich cognac and sultry, night-blooming frangipani. I’ve used some of the most exquisite materials in the world to create this scent, including jasmine, tuberose and rare Tamil Nadu sandalwood that I’ve held onto for ages. You can experience the luxury of Fleur de Caramel in both perfume and eau de parfum. My eau de parfum is a sumptuous (and highly dosed) version of the original, packaged in a delicate Brosse crystal bottle and elegant candy wrapping. It’s also available as a crème perfume in an emerald sterling silver jewel box. I will be including a free sample of Fleur de Caramel perfume with every order placed in August. It’s one way I am celebrating my birthday, August 14! Please let me know what you think of my new scent, my dear Purrfumery friends! I love to hear all your comments about my products. Oh! I almost forgot to mention that Fleur de Caramel has a fun kitty connection (of course). I named my first kitten “Caramel” after receiving her from a passerby when I was just 6 years old. It was the start of my animal rescue career!

Honey Arrives in Eau de Parfum

We have also added Honey to our eau de parfum line. Honey is one of my most popular scents – the eau de parfum has all the gorgeous qualities of the liquid perfume, it’s just less concentrated. Go ahead and indulge in this incredible blend of French orange blossom, Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, deep vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, honey, and beeswax from the Purrfumery's bees. Like the original, Honey eau de parfum is set in a base of sandalwood and vanilla-infused alcohol and crowned with rare antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit. It’s a royal gift for you or someone you love, packaged in a Brosse crystal bottle and adorned with a whimsical bumblebee.

Fir-ever Young, mentioned in Oprah Magazine!

In the July issue, Dr. Toni Bark, a proponent of healthy and vibrant living (and one of my customers) was featured in Oprah magazine. During her interview, Toni said she wore our Fir-ever Young scent – I was delighted to see this woodsy, jammy scent mentioned in Oprah magazine! Throughout the story, Toni talks about her approach to life, health, exercise and aging. She sells some of the products she uses and loves, including Fir-ever Young, on her new Skin and Chocolate website. The chocolates look incredible! Her blog, disease-reversal.com, is also fabulous! Thank you, Toni, for introducing Fir-Ever Young to Oprah Magazine! You are amazing!

Taking a New Look at Kittylicious

We’ve made some changes around here, under the supervision of Buttercup, our Chief Fun Officer! One big change has been the redesign of our Kittylicious labels. I’ve had so much fun working on them! The new bottles are available now, so get ready for a pleasant surprise the next time you order one of these unique, playful scents. Ok! Time to take a break and lounge with the kitties. Enjoy the summer sun, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

June 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

The Perfumer’s Garden is absolutely amazing this time of year – I am thrilled to see that my Kazanlik rose is starting to bloom! This is a damask rose that can be found in some of the richest perfumes in the world. I’m in awe of the wisteria – it’s garlanding the Purrfumery windows – and the lilac dell is in full bloom. The jasmine and lemon blossoms leading to the Purrfumery are intoxicating! The irises are beautiful this year… they’re beautiful every year! Bees are sipping from the Pride of Madera and the borage. Roses are bursting open everywhere! Attar of rose geranium, and many other scented geraniums fill the air on the deck of my apothecary garden. It’s magical! In the midst of all this aromatic gorgeousness, I am busy as a bee planning for a very eventful summer.

Save the Date!

First, I’m getting ready for my dear friend, Philadelphia novelist James Rahn, who will be visiting on June 30. Save the date! James and I grew up together in Atlantic City and his book Bloodnight recently hit the streets. James will be on the West Coast this summer promoting Bloodnight and will spend an afternoon at the Purrfumery, where he’ll read a few pages from his gritty past. We’ll gather in the garden from 1-4 p.m.; the reading will begin at 2:15 p.m. Copies of Bloodnight will be available, and the Purrfumery will be open, too. I will be serving light refreshments, so please join us! The Purrfumery address is 727 Sea View Drive, El Cerrito, Ca. 94530. RSVP to laurie@purrfumery.com or call me at 510-528-8040. Bloodnight is James’ first book, and I am so happy for him. The story transports readers to a Jersey shore resort town that was a violent and volatile place. By 1970, tourists who once loved the town were traveling to newer, trendier places. As tourist dollars dwindled, the locals lost their jobs. They unleashed their frustration on their kids. Kids, in turn, punished each other. Growing up meant hustling, and learning to be tough. James’ stories and articles have appeared in numerous publications. He also taught fiction at the University of Pennsylvania for 15 years. And, he leads the Rittenhouse Writers Group in Philadelphia, a series of acclaimed fiction workshops. I’m looking forward to James’ reading and visiting with you, my dear Purrfumery friends! See you in the Perfumer’s Garden this summer!

Yummy Scents… Literally!

If you love perfume, art and wine (and want to experience them all at the same time!) mark your calendar for TasteTV's Artisan Fragrance Salon happening this summer. This incredible scent event happens on July 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gallery 4N5, 863 Mission Street, San Francisco. The salon features artisan and luxury perfumers from Los Angeles to Vancouver. Perfume lovers will find a dazzling array of perfumes, as well as olfactory tastings, demonstrations, wine pairings, an art exhibition, and more! Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery will be there so please stop by and say hello. I will have all kinds of delightful treats for my Purrfumery friends – don't miss it! Visit TasteTV's Artisan Fragrance Salon page to learn more. Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

April 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

Happy Spring to you! I hope you are all enjoying the wonders of this gorgeous season and the renewal that's happening all around us. I'm still buzzing from the incredible journey Gary and I made to Michoacán, Mexico to see the Monarch butterfly migration. Have you heard of this? Every spring, Monarch butterflies in the mountains of Michoacán procreate and send their next generation north to Canada, creating an absolutely amazing spectacle for humans on the ground. We climbed at about 10,000 feet on horseback, looking up into the blue sky... Soon, we saw one or two butterflies. Then we saw a dozen or more and before long, there were millions of butterflies floating by like a beautiful, magical dream! It is truly inspiring to see these tiny, fragile creatures begin their migration – they will fly thousands of miles! We all stood there in awe, just trying to imagine the terrain the butterflies would fly over during their journey. I like to call the mountains where the butterflies stay "Woodstock for Butterflies." It's where they drink from the rivers, procreate and flourish until it's time to take flight! We must not take them for granted, though! A study in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity reported that Monarchs have declined over the years because of the loss of milkweed (their favorite food), land development, severe weather, pesticides, and more. We learned so much about these amazing creatures! Did I mention the wildflowers? They are everywhere in the mountains of Michoacán and they are just exquisite. This was a great little trip – the perfect way to rejuvenate and rediscover the magic of nature.

Scented Treasures Just for Mom

And now I'm ready for Mother's Day! I would be delighted to have you and your mom (or moms!) visit the Purrfumery for a cup of tea and a Perfumery Adventure or a Custom Perfume Experience. During the Perfumery Adventure, I will take you and Mom through the history and mythology of perfume making and offer you the rare opportunity to smell aromatic treasures from around the globe. Blue Lotus, Bulgarian Rose Otto, 100-year old Indian Sandalwood, White Ginger Lily absolute… Perfumery Adventures also include a sumptuous little goody bag that I put together just for Mom!

Or, lavish Mom with a Custom Perfume Experience, which begins with a Perfumery Adventure. The essences that Mom loves most from her adventure become the basis of her very own, signature scent! This is the ultimate luxury – leisure time spent in the Purrfumery sniffing and talking about the scents she loves and why. Purrfumery friends who have chosen the Custom Perfume Experience say it's a relaxing and joyful experience, and that enjoying their own custom perfume reminds them that they are loved and cherished! I am happy to answer questions about these experiences, dear Purrfumery friends. Feel free to call me at 510-528-8040 or email laurie@purrfumery.com to learn more. Velvet & Sweet Pea's Gift Collections are another wonderful way to celebrate Mom! We also highly recommend our Scent Charms, popular vintage-style brass lockets with Rose Jasmine and Jasmine Orange Blossom solid perfume. Scent Charms hang on super-soft velvet cords and arrive in a delicate organza bag – they are beautiful and fun to wear and use! I will include a free Scent Charm with all orders over $150 through May. Happy Mother's Day to all!

Art a la mode

The kitties and I have a kinship with art and artists, and we want to share the latest news with you! We are thrilled to announce that Heidi Rand, a wonderful photographer, artist (and writer!) has released her newest ebook, "Sell Your Artwork & Crafts Online: An Insider's Guide to the Worldwide Arts Market." If you are an artist or know someone who is, this is a wonderful, step-by-step guide to selling arts and crafts in cyberspace. Heidi tapped her own rich experience as an artist and reached out to others as well, including Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery. We love Heidi's book, and not just because she featured us! Congratulations, Heidi, and thank you! And, if you are planning a wedding, we have some very creative and artistic new favors to share with you from Pat Gibbons Floral Designs. Pat is a wonderful friend and longtime floral designer who has expanded her business with a product line called Flower Fusion. Pat's new line features decorative, hand-painted and kiln-fused glass magnets that are based on the bride's color scheme. These charming magnets make beautiful decorations and favors for your guests. A fellow beekeeper, Pat also has some yummy favors, too – 1.5 ounce jars of pure, local honey! And, if you'd like a special memento of your wedding day, Pat also creates hand-painted and kiln-fused depictions of the bridal bouquet. All are gorgeous and artful ways to remember and share your special day! Email Pat at pat@patgibbonsfloral.com to learn more about her Flower Fusion line.

Farewell to an Icon

It's sad to talk about this, but it's time. I thought you all should know that Sweet Pea, our dear little kitty who along with Velvet inspired me to start my Purrfumery, passed earlier this year. Sweet Pea came from very dire beginnings; but she was so loving and sweet – you would never know the pain she had endured. Velvet and Sweet Pea both were lab animals – they taught me so much and are the reason why I am so dedicated to being cruelty free and animal musk free. More on that to come! Thank you to everyone who has sent warm wishes and condolences. We are doing ok, though of course, we miss her very much! Love you, Sweet Pea.

Looking for Love

One of my good friends just let me know that she recently had to turn over Sylvie and Fluffy – two kitties she had been fostering – to the SPCA. Fluffy is about 4 and Sylvie is 3 –they are both very sweet and affectionate and love to play. They also get along great with other cats. Both have been fully vetted and chipped and both are in perfect health. If you are looking for a friend (or friends!) to share your life with, ask about them at Maddie's Adoption Center, 250 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 or call 415-522-3500 Fluffy: 15682727 Sylvie: 15682760 Thank you, my dear Purrfumery friends! Enjoy this gorgeous time of year! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

January 2012 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

It has been an incredible, whirlwind year – and it's only February! The kitties and I have been getting ready for one special occasion after another. Of course, the one we all have on our minds right now is...

Valentine's Day!

Did you know that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday? What's not to adore about a holiday that celebrates love and friendship? It's been my favorite holiday since I was a kid. My dad would bring home little heart-shaped cupcakes with our names on them – they were gorgeous and such a treat! My dear friend Meryl and I have continued the tradition of sharing the love with friends and family. Every year, we get together and make buttery, heart-shaped Linzer tarts for the special people in our lives. We put a dollop of jam in the middle... Yum!

If you are looking for a special gift to give to someone you love on Valentine's Day, the kitties and I have lots of ideas! For something opulent and totally amazing, try a bottle of my Honey perfume, an absolutely regal blend of Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, sandalwood, vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, honey and beeswax from the Purrfumery's own bees. I crown this gorgeous scent with rare antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit. Gorgeous! Bed of Roses, one of my limited edition scents, also makes an incredible gift for someone special. Bed of Roses features an accord of nine exceptional rose distillations from around the world, cushioned by aged sandalwood and rich cognac with accents of tuberose, boronia, orange blossom, and green mandarin. I crown Bed of Roses with rose leaf absolute, a rare and incomparable material from the history of perfume, seldom made today. Or how about giving a friend or someone you love an ornate, heart-shaped Scent Charm? We fill our decorative brass lockets with Rose Jasmine and Jasmine Orange Blossom solid perfume – luscious scents created in a base of vanilla-infused organic jojoba oil with beeswax from the Purrfumery's own bees. Scent Charms hang on a soft velvet cord and are a hit with perfume lovers of all ages! Need more ideas? I'd be delighted to help you find the perfect scent treat, my dear Purrfumery friends! Just call or email me for an appointment at 510-528-8040 or laurie@purrfumery.com. And, as my special treat for you, I will include a free, heart-shaped Rose Jasmine Scent Charm with all orders over $150 until February 14. Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

The Purrfumery Goes to Google

In late January, I visited Google and took employees on an interactive and experiential journey that explored the magical union between bees, flowers and natural perfume. It was an amazing afternoon, and I was thrilled to be able to share the message that without bees there are no flowers, and without flowers there are no boanical perfumes. Google employees had a chance to smell some of my most intoxicating natural materials, including Assam oud (the most expensive essence in the world), 100-year old Indian sandalwood, organic Persian Rose Otto, and sacred mitti attar. We talked about how it all starts with bees and flowers, and how beekeepers (like those who maintain the Google hives) are so important to life as we know it! Thank you, Google, for hosting us!

Changes in Purrfumery Leadership

Buttercup, the little fairy cat who loves to play and chase a ribbon, has stepped up as Chief Fun Officer (CFO) at Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery. Buttercup is shaking things up and taking us back to our roots in custom perfumery. This is a wonderful transition that allows us to continue creating the products our Purrfumery friends love, while also opening a new door to exploration and wonder. We are delighted to present to you our Custom Perfume offerings, inspired by Buttercup's endless curiosity and love of play and adventure...

The Ultimate Gift – A Custom Perfume Experience

Our Custom Perfume offerings begin with a Perfumery Adventure, where you have an opportunity to experience the aromatic treasures from my vast collection. You will be amazed at how powerful your sense of smell can be and the array of memories and associations that emerge during our time together! The essences you are most drawn to become the basis of several formulations I will send you to sample. I will revise your favorite formulation at your request, age the new scent, and within two to four months, you will receive your very own liquid or solid perfume in either a gorgeous Brosse French crystal bottle or decadent jewel-box. Imagine, my dear Purrfumery friends! A scent that is all yours, created from the essences that transport and fascinate you! This is an extraordinary opportunity to tap into your most neglected sense – your sense of smell – and immerse yourself in a sensual and highly personal journey. The choice is yours... To learn more about Le Rêve, Le Rêve d'Or, La Passionata and La Royale Custom Perfume Experiences, call or email me, or visit us online. Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

December 2011 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

The holidays are approaching and the kitties and I are busy as we could be. Actually, Buttercup is busy jumping up on my lap as I work, and every time I put her down, she jumps right back up again! Oh, this little fairy cat!

Purrfumery Wishes!

We want to wish you a deliciously fun and happy holiday season, dear Purrfumery friends! And if you're looking for something new and delightfully different for yourself or someone on your list, we would love to have you over! We have an array of sumptuous treats to share with you, everything from liquid and solid perfumes, to fresh Frostings and bath salts... Our gorgeous Scent Charms have also been very popular – Purrfumery friends say they make beautiful presents, party favors and stocking stuffers for friends and loved ones. We fill these ornate, vintage-style brass lockets with Rose Jasmine and Jasmine Orange Blossom solid perfume – incredible scents in a base of vanilla-infused organic jojoba oil with beeswax from our own bees. Scent Charms hang on super-soft velvet cords and arrive in a delicate organza bag. Tuck one into a stocking or gift box… or treat yourself!

December Specials – Free Shipping and Hydrosols

This holiday season, the Purrfumery is offering free shipping on all orders. It's my way of saying thank you, my dear Purrfumery friends, and Happy Holidays! Through the month of December we will also offer 2 for 1 on hydrosols to everyone who stops by the Purrfumery for an appointment. That means if you visit the Purrfumery and select one of our refreshing hydrosols, you will receive a second one FREE. If you prefer to shop online, we will include a free surprise hydrosol with all purchases over $50. Hydrosols are the magical result produced when the essential oils of flowers and herbs are extracted into water through steam distillation. Created using a method from 10th century Arabia, these beautiful, aromatherapeutic fragrances offer a burst of light, refreshing scent anytime, anywhere. We are making space on the Purrfumery shelves for yummy new products, so if you haven't tried a hydrosol, now is your chance! This will be my last batch of hydrosols, so don't delay. And don't forget your kitties this holiday season! We have our euphorically kittylicious, high-quality catnip bud for them – be sure to let me know when you place your order that you have cats. They are in for a treat! I am hoping to see you all very soon! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and yours, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next year... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

October 2011 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

I hope you are enjoying the magic of fall and the way the seasons transform and delight our world! The kitties and I have been watching in wonder as the fall colors arrive to the Purrfumery Garden. The persimmons are starting to turn their lovely shade of orange and the pomegranates are tempting us, but they aren't quite ready. Just a little longer… The trees are starting to drop their leaves and the blossoms are turning brittle. The bees are buzzing away – we've just finished harvesting our last honey of the season! Yum! I'm getting the beeswax ready for our crème perfumes right now! Of course, fall means cutting and clearing. Gary and I cut back our hydrangeas and brought baskets full of dried blooms inside to hang from the beams in our kitchen. When I walk through the kitchen in the morning to get my tea and honey I feel like I'm in a French country cottage! It's beautiful!

Share Your Fall Creations & Win the Gift of Scent

This is one of my favorite times of year – it reminds me of my days in the flower business when I collected leaves, branches and dried blossoms for wreaths I would make and sell. This is the time of year when many of us move our crafts indoors and use the dried treasures we find to create wreaths, gifts and seasonal decor. I would love to see your fall creations, my dear Purrfumery friends! Through Thanksgiving (November 24 this year), please send me a picture of a handmade fall creation and tell me what materials you used to create it. I will look at each and every one and award the maker of the one I love best a bottle of Honey perfume! I will also feature pictures of your fall creations in my next newsletter. Put on your crafting hats and have some fun!

The Purrfumery Stars in a Movie

This summer, filmmakers arrived at our home, unloading oodles of gear, cords and lights. Our home and the Purrfumery were used as sets in a movie – I can't tell you the name just yet, but I will as soon as I can! I got to meet Gena Rowlands, one of my favorite actresses, and experience the incredible process of making a movie. Like many marvelous and wonderful stories, this movie has a kitty in the middle! Stay tuned for updates!

... and the Purrfumery Makes the News!

I was delighted to have Meredith May from the San Francisco Chronicle visit in August for a story about the health benefits of products made from beeswax. Thank you, Meredith! It was so nice to meet you. Maddie McGarvey was also here and took some lovely photos. Thanks, Maddie! Meredith writes about our favorite pollinators (the bees) for the Home and Garden section of the San Francisco Chronicle. Check the Chronicle for more of her stories.

Whistle While You Work

The kitties and I have been spending our days in my magical Purrfumery, blending and pouring lockets, perfumes, and bath salts to stock the shelves. I've also whipped up a new batch of Frostings – it's fall and they're back! I am sad to report that I am very low on the gardenia I use for my Tuberose Gardenia Frosting, and I will not be getting any more of this amazing natural material. This will be my last batch of Tuberose Gardenia Frosting so if you love it, don't delay! On the other hand, I have many beautiful locket designs to choose from. These little treasures hang on a velvet cord and make gorgeous gifts and stocking stuffers. I have four designs on the Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery website but I recently received several new and vintage designs that will only be available at the Purrfumery. Why don't you stop by and see them for yourself? Try a spritz of this and that while you're here! Give me a call at 510-528-8040 or send me an email at laurie@purrfumery.com and let me know when you'd like to visit. Until next time… Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

August 2011 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

This summer has been a season of transformation. I am beginning to feel like a caterpillar that has emerged from a silky cocoon not once, but over and over again! It all started with a retreat I took to Spirit Rock Meditation Center in June. I had been feeling pretty overwhelmed with work and life and just needed some time to slow down and smell the flowers. You may be asking yourself, "But Laurie, don't you always take time to smell the flowers?" Well, yes. And no. I always take time to appreciate the world and nature, but this retreat opened a door to a new place within me. I considered my life and my upcoming birthday – I'm turning 55 in August and it feels like a milestone. I also thought about my work and about things I'd like to change and develop. I hadn't had time to do this for a while, and taking a few days to deeply relax was just what I needed to stir my soul. I emerged from the retreat rejuvenated and anxious to get back to the Purrfumery, where I am playing with some new materials that I hope will guide you through YOUR transformations, my dear Purrfumery friends! Stay tuned...

The Woman in the Purple Sweater

So I am back from my retreat and delighting in the joys of summer. I've been taking time to hike in the Sierras, enjoy the waterfalls, and feel the sun on my face and body. Sometimes I wander into the Perfumer's Garden and reflect as I walk among the blooming jasmine, magnolia trees, sweet peas and hydrangeas. Princess flowers and our scented geraniums are gorgeous right now, and the herb garden is brimming with mint and Melissa. Anyway, I also take walks in the hills around my home. One morning I was out meditating and walking when a woman in a gorgeous purple sweater took me quite by surprise. She stopped me, touched my arm and asked, "Why are you here?" I just started to laugh and laugh! She was suddenly embarrassed and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else." As I walked away I thought, wow! That is such a great question! Why AM I here? It's the perfect question to ask someone who's in transition, by the way. While a few things may have changed, my vision for life remains the same: to blend my art and creativity with my deepest passions, which include making animals feel safer in this world and enjoying nature to the fullest!

A Great, Big "Happy Birthday to Everyone!" Sale

My birthday is almost here, and I want to do something fun, my dear Purrfumery friends! Through the month of August, I am holding a "Happy Birthday to Everyone!" sale. This is your chance to purchase a perfume and get a second perfume of equal or lesser value – free. It's a fun way to treat yourself and then treat yourself some more! Let's celebrate my birthday with presents for you, too! When you make your purchase, order the perfume you want and in the comments box let me know which perfume of equal or lesser value you would like to receive free. Cheers!

Heart on a String

If you're looking for a fun way to take your perfume to go, check out my gorgeous new Scent Charms! I fill these vintage-style lockets with tantalizing beeswax-based solid perfumes – Rose Jasmine and if you like a hint of citrus, Jasmine Orange Blossom. Whether you're out at a party or at work or school, or out running errands, a delicate touch of scent is just a moment away. Scent Charms hang on supple velvet cords and make great gifts and party favors. I recently made some for a friend who wanted something special to hand to guests at her mother's 85th birthday party. They're a really nice touch, and just $25 to $30 each.

New Interview on the Web

Have you read Perfume Pharmer? It's a wonderful blog that features news from natural perfumers and info on new products. Recently, natural perfumer Ambrosia Jones interviewed me about Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery and posted it to Perfume Pharmer. She asked some excellent questions that really made me think about how I have grown as a perfumer since I started my business five years ago. We are delighted to share the link here. Enjoy! And thank you so much, Ambrosia!

Velvet, Love in the Form of a Cat

Early this summer we said goodbye to our very dear little Velvet, a companion that I always said was love in the form of a cat. Velvet had been in poor health for a while, and she died peacefully at home with us. Velvet was a very special kitty – she came from dire beginnings, but went on to found her own Internet perfume company! Turned out she was all about transformation, too! She was alternately brave and sweet and snuggly and was a wonderful teacher to me. In the spirit of Velvet, let's love and be loved! Thank you to everyone who expressed sympathy for our loss. It was tough, but we are doing better. Enjoy the rest of your summer, dear Purrfumery friends! Delight in the moment, and even if things get hectic, find a place that's beautiful to stop and smell the flowers. Until next time… Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

May 2011 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

Save the Date! Please join us from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 for a very special author event in the Perfumer's Garden, 727 Sea View Drive, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Judith Adamson, author of "Backyard Beekeepers of the Bay Area" will be here to share her book, a profile of the beekeeping movement in the San Francisco Bay Area. The book is also available on Judith's website, www.BackyardBeeKeepersBayArea.com. Judith visited the Purrfumery a few years ago and interviewed me about my hives and how I use beeswax, propolis and other bee-made products in my perfumes. She interviewed other beekeepers, too – some of them will be here for the event. Judith's book is a great read about some of us local bee lovers and looks at scientific, philosophical and spiritual approaches to beekeeping. The book also discusses Colony Collapse Disorder – when worker bees abandon their hive and their queen – a very disturbing phenomenon that threatens many of our favorite plants. Bees pollinate crops and flowers – I don't even want to imagine a world without them! With its beautiful watercolor paintings, interviews and resource pages, Judith's book inspires people to help bees where they can. I am delighted to host Judith and my fellow beekeepers! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about bees, the flowers they love and how you can create your own bee colony.

"The kitties and I love Steffy Sue, our server at Sam's Log Cabin in Albany. She plays ukulele, loves kitties and bees, and is a registered dietician. Her fanciful "bee love" flower tattoos and fun spirit delights us. Thanks, Steffy Sue!"

Esteemed Bay Area Beekeepers

Beekeepers at the event will include Pat Gibbons, a longtime wedding flower designer based in El Cerrito. Pat and I started our flower businesses around the same time 27 years ago and we always helped each other. She's an incredible designer and an amazing gardener, too! Pat will bring a list of plants that bees love (bee-loved plants!) a great resource for your own gardens. I am also looking forward to seeing beekeeper David Eichorn, my bee guru. Several years ago when I discovered a bee swarm in the Perfumer's Garden, I called David to remove the bees. David arrived and explained that bees swarm when they multiply – as many as half of the bees stay with their new queen in the original hive and the other half take their old queen in search of a new place to live. Like other animals, bees look for an ideal environment where they can settle down and live their lives. I had wanted David to remove the bees but the more he told me, the more I wanted to keep them! They chose the Perfumer's Garden! I felt so honored! David taught me how to keep bees and how to build my hives. He is an amazing source of information, so bring your questions. We'll enjoy some light snacks, too. I'll serve scones, local cheeses and of course, plenty of honey from my own hives. There will also be a table of tea and aromatic, honey-infused beverages. Yum! The Purrfumery will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. I'll be offering my sumptuous Honey perfume at a special price on that day, too! Beth Schreibman Gehring says "Honey is a glorious fragrance that is so completely seductive and narcotic that it should be illegal!" I will include a little Jasmine-Honey solid perfume (made with beeswax from my hives) with every Purrfumery purchase. I hope to see you here!

Last Days of Spring Fling Sale

The Spring Fling Sale, a special event to commemorate this year's spectacular bee season, is in its final days, my dear Purrfumery friends! Right now all liquid perfumes, crème perfumes, eau de parfum, colognes and limited edition perfumes are Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off. The Spring Fling Sale ends April 30. This is a great opportunity to try something new and get another scent of equal or lesser value at half the regular price. Don't forget Mom! Mother's Day is right around the corner on Sunday, May 8. To get in on the fun, email me at laurie@purrfumery.com or call the Purrfumery at 510-528-8040. I will take Spring Fling orders via email and phone only. I hope to see you soon! Come visit me at the Purrfumery! Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

April 2011 Newsletter

Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!

I'm back! For the last month or so I have been taking extra time to smell the flowers… I have redefined the last days of winter and first weeks of spring as a time of reflection and rest followed by a gradual reemergence into new and old routines. I am following the rhythms of nature – just like the flowers and plants in the Perfumer's Garden, I tucked myself away from the rain. When the sun warmed me up, I raised my head in celebration!

Bouquets and Bee Swarms

Speaking of the Perfumer's Garden, it is absolutely amazing in spring. The lilacs, irises and freesia are full and beautiful and fragrant! And the bees! They are getting ready to swarm and always put on a spectacular show! Have you ever experienced a bee swarm? I hope you do sometime! Here's what happens: In a healthy hive, like the one in the Perfumer's Garden, bees multiply and make a new queen by feeding a worker bee a nutritious secretion from their bodies called Royal Jelly. Half of the bees stay in the hive and the other half take their new queen and look for a new hive. Since they don't know how long it will be until they're settled, they gorge themselves on honey before they venture out into the world. When they leave the hive it's incredible – imagine a giant cloud of bees and the amazing hum of their buzzing little bodies… When I experience a swarm, I watch in complete awe – these busy bees produce the natural materials I use to create my perfumes and other scents. I couldn't do it without them! They pollinate roses, lavender, and even vanilla, to name just a few plants and flowers.

Spring Fling Sale

I am commemorating this year's spectacular bee season with a sale that is sure to delight you, my dear Purrfumery friends! From April 11-30, all liquid perfumes, crème perfumes, eau de parfum, colognes and limited edition perfumes will be Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off. All hail the queen bee! This is a marvelous opportunity to try a scent you have been coveting, and get another one of equal or lesser value at half the regular price. (Psst! Don't forget that Mother's Day is right around the corner on Sunday, May 8!) To get in on the fun, email me at laurie@purrfumery.com or call the Purrfumery at 510-528-8040. I will take Spring Fling orders via email and phone only. Let the scent event of the year begin!

Bunny Hop Is Also A Kitty Stop

I always make time to do things I enjoy, such as volunteering and giving back to my community. Lately, I have been decorating the windows at RabbitEARS Pet Supply in downtown El Cerrito. I love to watch my bunny friends hop around and wiggle their adorable, furry noses! Bunnies are gorgeous and so fun to hold and pet! But there is a dark side to a bunny's life: Each year around Easter, people buy them on a whim and pop one into a basket to give as a gift. While RabbitEARS and other animal-supporting organizations love the idea of people adopting rabbits, they want people to be sure they are committed to these animals before they bring them home. Through the end of April, RabbitEARS is hosting a Make Mine Chocolate event that includes chocolate and coffee tastings by Socolo Chocalatier and Catahoula Coffee. Yum! RabbitEARS hopes the event will encourage parents to take a chocolate bunny home to their children instead of a real one. The store will also have coffee and chocolate packages for sale – all proceeds will go to rabbit rescue and education. From 1 to 5 on Easter Sunday, April 24, stop by RabbitEARS and meet the coffee roaster and chocolate makers in person and enjoy a free cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate! RabbitEARS is a wonderful place to learn about animals. You'll meet rescued rabbits Potter, Checkers, Scout, Racine, Pearl, Satcho and Twinky, Lilly, Tomatillo and others! You may also sign up for classes on bunny training, grooming and medical needs. Rabbit adoptions will resume in May. While you're there, visit rescued kitty Macha, who needs a home, and stock up on healthy pet food, treats and holistic products. To learn more about RabbitEARS, visit www.rabbitears.org

Bee Book Author Event

Judith Adamson, author of "Backyard Beekeepers of the Bay Area," will be signing books here at the Purrfumery in late spring or early summer. I will be in touch with a date and time soon. I am delighted to host Judith – she visited the Purrfumery when she was researching and writing her book and interviewed me about my beekeeping ways. I made it into her book! Stay tuned for details on the Purrfumery's very first author event!

Back to the Swarm

I only told you half of the bee swarm story, my dear Purrfumery friends. Here's the other half: When bees swarm, they buzz away in search of a new place to live. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee they will find a new hive, so responsible beekeepers (like me!) try to capture them in a "nuc" or swarm box and then give them away to another beekeeper who needs them. A beekeeper's goal is to be sure the bees have a place to go so they will survive and flourish. We need bees – the more the merrier – and they are in trouble! When the bees swarm, I go on bee patrol to locate them. If they are in a tree limb I can clip the branch and then bang the branch against the nuc box, which I will later put in a hive or give away to another beekeeper. If I'm lucky, the bulk of the bees fly into the nuc box with their queen, and the rest of the swarm locate them by the pheromone the queen bee emanates. Done! It's great when the queen is in the nuc box and the bees are content – they wiggle their little butts up and down around the entry to the nuc box indicating all is well. Unfortunately, it isn't always so easy. One year I tried for four days to capture a swarm for another beekeeper. The bees were hanging out in a giant jasmine vine that was too tangled for me to easily put in the nuc box without disturbing them and wrecking the beautiful vine. I decided I had to think like a bee if I was ever going to capture them! I took a piece of the vine and a frame from a hive and made a little bridge to the nuc box, which already had beeswax frames in it. I hoped for the best and let them be, so to speak. The next day, they were all in the nuc box! They had marched over the bridge I made them and decided they'd move on in. Mission accomplished! People often ask me if I am afraid of being stung when the bees swarm. No! Swarming bees have gorged themselves on honey to prepare for their exodus – they are drunk and happy and generally won't sting you. I have never been stung during a bee swarm. I do wear my veil and gloves, though!

Happiness Is...

From capturing bees to sowing seeds, I embrace and enjoy the hustle-bustle and the quiet reverence of the Purrfumery and the Perfumer's Garden. Creating gorgeous, natural scents is my very own labor of love – I put all my attention and effort into making sure each product and package is luxurious and beautiful. I realize that keeping my business small and avoiding mass production means my Purrfumery friends sometimes have to wait for me. Thank you to those of you who placed orders while I was on vacation in March! I really appreciated your patience! I hope to be part of your lives for years to come, my dear Purrfumery friends. Enjoy these glorious days of spring and keep in touch! Come see me at the Purrfumery! Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

January 2011 Newsletter

Happy New Year, Dear Purrfumery Friends!

Hope you all had a fun and festive New Year! The kitties and I toasted 2011 in the Purrfumery – we are all looking forward to a year full of love, happiness and of course, luxurious perfumes! Speaking of perfume, we are off to a very rosy start here at the Purrfumery – our newest limited edition scent, Bed of Roses, is receiving rave reviews! Thank you Suzanne Keller, ScentHive and CaFleur Bon for sampling Bed of Roses and putting your thoughts and feelings into words.

ScentHive's Bed of Roses Giveaway

I'm delighted to report that ScentHive will be giving away a 5 ml bottle of Bed of Roses nestled in a very special silk and velvet Valentine's Day pouch. ScentHive will announce the drawing on January 28. To put your name in the hat, look for ScentHive's announcement and leave your name with a comment about wanting a bottle of Bed of Roses. This is a very exciting giveaway, so be sure to leave your comment at ScentHive. Bed of Roses is a scent to enjoy and treasure— I created it from nine rare rose materials from around the world and cushioned it with aged sandalwood, dark chocolate and rich cognac. I also added accents of tuberose, boronia, orange blossom, and green mandarin and a touch of rose leaf absolute, a rare and incomparable material from the history of perfume, seldom made today. It could be yours! Good luck, my dear Purrfumery friends!

Purrfumery Specials Abound!

I have more specials to share with you – through the end of February, I will include a frosting and a hydrosol with each purchase of Bed of Roses. I am also offering free shipping on all orders over $75. It's my way of saying "Thank You!" to my dear Purrfumery friends. Let's start this year off right!

Get Flowers and Chocolate for Valentine's Day

What could be better than a day dedicated to love and treats? I've been so excited about Valentine's Day 2011 – I spent the first days of January planning for it! I wanted to offer my Purrfumery friends flowers and chocolate on this special day, so I created a yummy Black Cat solid perfume that I will include with all orders through Valentine's Day. If you haven't tried Black Cat from my Kittylicious line, you must! Black Cat is a bewitching blend of mouth-watering cocoa, sensuous ylang ylang, juicy blood orange, with a hint of sweet, surprising aniseed myrtle. (Psst! I read somewhere that the scent of licorice, or anise, has an aphrodisiac effect on men…) Like fun, sexy, sophisticated candy, Black Cat stays fascinating! And, as a handy solid, you can carry it in your purse or pocket and dab it on here and there… Happy Valentine's Day!

The Petals of a Rose

Perhaps it's the romance of Valentine's Day or the scent of Bed of Roses here in the Purrfumery, but I can't get roses off my mind… My love affair with these incredible flowers began when I moved to Berkeley in 1975 to attend the California College of Arts & Crafts. Gary, my future husband, would wake up before sunrise, cruise around the neighborhood and clip the most gorgeous roses. I would wake up to the most magnificent rose bouquets in the universe! Gary eventually became a landscape architect. And I opened a flower stand, Bed of Roses, that grew into an amazing wedding flower business. We now have a beautiful garden overlooking the San Francisco Bay that brims with fragrant antique roses. I spend my days making perfumes with the most rare and aromatic roses in the world! What a treasure this is for me! My greatest wish is that others enjoy these tiny treasures that I fashion in my Purrfumery and in my garden. When I stand in my Perfumer's Garden, I can't help but compare nature, with its incredible beauty, design, colors, shapes and textures, to art. I have loved art since I was a child, and as you might have guessed, flower paintings have always been my favorite. I grew up in a museum-loving family and started going to museums at an early age. My older sister, Gail, eventually became a museum curator and director. When we were growing up, Gail and I always went to museums together – our favorite artist was Renoir. My sister loved the warm and loving emotions in his paintings and I loved the voluptuously sensual Bourbon roses tucked in his coquette's bosoms! When I touch my cheek to the petals of a rose and inhale its scent I remember youth, family, love… so many memories come flooding back. And, smelling a rose in any form always makes me feel like everything is going to be OK. Roses are completely calming, relaxing, comforting and deeply sensual. They are love, they are art, and they are ours to enjoy from January to December. Now you know what roses mean to me, my dear Purrfumery friends. Let's toast, shall we? Here's to sumptuous and fragrant rose bouquets in 2011 (that includes Valentine's Day)! Until next time, peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats… ~XOXO, Laurie